Universal gun case with detachable outer sections

ABSTRACT

A universal case designed to accommodate both short and long guns, having a rigid central casing with openings at each end which allow the stock and barrel of long guns to protrude from the central casing. Flexible stock and barrel covers are removably attachable to the central casing at the stock and barrel openings. The case may also use a set of endcaps which may be placed over the stock and barrel openings to seal them when the case is not used to store a long gun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of portable gun cases and more particularly to portable gun cases which act as a universal case for pistols and long guns.

When taking a gun on a hunting trip, it is customary to store the gun in a protective case for transport. Gun cases for long guns are typically designed either to be rigid and protective or soft and lightweight for portability and ease of storage. Both rigid and soft covers can be used to provide protection from environmental damage due to dust and moisture. A rigid cover protects the gun and scope from impacts, but is larger and heavier than a soft case, so it is more difficult to pack or carry. A rigid cover is also useful when a weapon has delicate decorative engraving since engraving could be damaged by water or collisions. Therefore, there is a need for a portable case which provides impact protection like a hard case for critical areas of the gun and scope while minimizing bulk.

Traditional gun cases are typically designed to carry a particular size of gun. Pistols are stored in a pistol case, holster, or soft sleeve, while long guns have a larger case or soft cover designed for them. It would be useful to have a universal case which can be repurposed to store either type of gun as needed.

The size and bulk of a gun case is also important to retailers who carry gun cases, as retailers can stock more cases in a limited space, whereas the ability to reconfigure a case to accommodate a variety of weapons allows a single model of case to be sold with many different weapons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a rigid central casing which has two openings. Pistols may be stored entirely within the central casing, while long guns have only their central section including the trigger mechanism and any attached scope enclosed by the central casing. The barrel and butt stock of the gun protrude through the openings of the central casing. During transport, the butt stock and barrel of the long gun that protrude from the case are enclosed by removable outer covers attached to the openings of the central casing. If a pistol is stored in the central casing the openings may be sealed by a pair of endcaps.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular gun carrying case which has a rigid central section providing impact protection and flexible lightweight outer sections to optimize protection and portability of the case.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular gun carrying case with removable outer covers which may be detached when not needed for protection in order to reduce the weight of the case and provide quick access to the enclosed gun. The rigid central section may be used with the flexible outer sections removed as a means to carry the gun using an attached handle or strap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a universal case which can accommodate both short and long guns.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gun case with a rigid central section and flexible outer sections which can be rolled into the rigid central section for ease of storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the central casing of a gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the central casing in an open position.

FIG. 2 shows a gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention enclosing a scoped hunting rifle with the barrel cover and butt stock cover removed.

FIG. 3A shows the gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the barrel cover and butt stock cover removed.

FIG. 3B shows the gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the barrel cover and butt stock cover attached in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C shows the gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with an end cap attached.

FIG. 4 shows a gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention enclosing a scoped hunting rifle with the barrel cover and butt stock cover attached to the central casing.

FIG. 5 shows a gun case in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention enclosing a pistol with end caps placed over the barrel and stock openings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the central casing 200 of a gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the central casing 200 in an open position. In the preferred embodiment the central casing 200 may be used to store both pistols and long guns such as rifles or shotguns. The central casing 200 is made of an impact resistant rigid material such as hard plastic or metal.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central casing 200 has an inner foam lining 260 which protects the gun from impacts and retains the gun in place within the casing. In addition, a set of straps 210 are attached to the inner surface of the central casing 200 and strapped over the butt and forestock of the gun, retaining the gun in place against the foam lining 260 and protecting the scope from being knocked out of alignment by impacts. The straps 210 may be loosened or tightened to accommodate guns of different sizes. In another embodiment, the distance between the straps 210 may be adjustable to accommodate guns of different lengths. For example, the straps may be clipped onto the inner surface of the central casing at one of multiple attachment points at varying distances along the inner surfaces of the central casing. In another embodiment, the gun may be retained in place by a set of straps without the use of a foam lining 260. In other embodiments the gun may be retained in place using alternate retaining means such as placing the gun into a form fitting indentation or recess in the foam lining 260 cut to match the shape of the gun.

Pistols are retained within the central casing 200 strapped against the foam lining 260 and do not protrude from the central casing 200. Long guns are only partially enclosed by the central casing 200. The central section of the gun including the trigger and scope is protected by the central casing 200, while the barrel and stock protrude from the casing 200 through a barrel opening 240 and a stock opening 250. the gun.

In the exemplary embodiment, the two sides of the central casing 200 are held closed by one or more clasps 220. In other embodiments the case may also be retained in closed position using buckles, straps, or other closing means. The gun case 100 is carried by a handle 230 located at the top of the central casing 200. The handle 230 may be used to carry the central casing 200 by itself or as the fully assembled gun case 100. In another embodiment, the gun case 100 may be carried by a shoulder strap.

FIG. 2 shows a gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a closed position enclosing a scoped hunting rifle with the barrel cover 300 and butt stock cover 400 removed. The case is in a closed position with the central section of the rifle including the scope and trigger enclosed within the central casing 200 and retained in place against the foam lining 260 by the straps 210. The barrel of the rifle protrudes through the barrel opening 240 while the stock of the rifle protrudes through the stock opening 250. The barrel and stock openings, 240, 250 may be covered using the barrel cover 300 and butt stock cover 400.

FIG. 3A shows the gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the barrel cover 300 and butt stock cover 400 removed. FIG. 3B shows the gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the barrel cover 300 and butt stock cover 400 attached. FIG. 3C shows the gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with an end cap 500 attached.

FIG. 4 shows a gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention enclosing a scoped hunting rifle with the barrel cover 300 and butt stock cover 400 attached to the central casing 200. A barrel cover 300 encloses the barrel of the gun, and is removably attached to the central casing of the gun such that the cover provides protection for the portions of the barrel protruding from the barrel opening 240 of the central casing 200. A removable butt stock cover 400 encloses the stock of the gun, and is removably attached to the central casing 200 of the gun such that the cover provides protection for the portions of the barrel protruding from the stock opening 250 of the central casing 200.

In the exemplary embodiment the barrel cover 300 and the butt stock cover 400 are composed of a flexible, lightweight, and waterproof material such as cloth, canvas, or flexible plastic. The barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 are tube shaped with one end closed and the other open. The open end of each cover terminates in a locking ring made of inflexible material. The butt stock cover locking ring 310 of the butt stock cover 300 attaches to the stock opening 250 while the barrel cover locking ring 410 of the barrel cover 400 attaches to the barrel opening 240 of the central casing 200.

In other embodiments, the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 may have a different shape such as a loose bag, a cone, or an open sheet with Velcro on the edges which is wrapped around and encloses portions of the gun protruding from the central casing 200. In other embodiments, the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 may be composed of an inflexible material such as plastic, metal, or wood.

In the exemplary embodiment, the locking rings of the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 are removably connected to the central casing 200 by sliding a plurality of tabs extending from the outer edges of the locking ring into a plurality of slots located on the edge of the barrel and stock openings 240, 250. The locking rings 310, 410 are then turned such that the extensions slide into grooves located in the slots of the stock and barrel openings 240, 250. In another embodiment, the stock and barrel openings 240, 250 and the locking rings 310, 410 are threaded and the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 and are screwed into the openings. In another embodiment, the locking rings 310, 410 are attached by magnetic inserts, allowing for the locking rings 310, 410 to take other shapes rather than a ring. In other embodiments, the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 may be removably connected to the stock and barrel openings 240, 250 by other attachment means such as wire clamps, Velcro straps, buckles, clips, or drawstrings.

FIG. 5 shows a gun case 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention enclosing a pistol with end caps 500 placed over the barrel and stock openings 240, 250. The endcaps 500 may be removably connected to the central casing 200 by sliding a plurality of tabs extending from the outer edges of the endcap into a plurality of slots located on the edge of the barrel and stock openings 240, 250. In another embodiment, the stock and barrel openings 240, 250 and the endcaps 500 are threaded and the endcaps 500 and are screwed into the openings In other embodiments, the end caps may be removably attached by other attachment means such as Velcro straps, buckles, or clips. In another embodiment, the end caps 500 may be permanently attached features of the central casing such as a hinged or sliding cover which may be moved into place when the gun being stored does not protrude from the gun case 100. In another embodiment, the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 may fold up into a compact position to serve as end caps 500. In another embodiment, the barrel and stock openings 240, 250 may be protected by a flap of flexible material.

In another embodiment, the central casing 200 contains a pocket which may be used to store the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 or endcaps 500 when they are not in use. In another embodiment, the soft portions of the barrel and butt stock covers 300, 400 may be rolled up inside the central casing 200 while still attached at the barrel and stock openings 240, 250.

The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gun case comprising; a central casing, wherein the central casing has a barrel opening and a stock opening positioned at opposite ends of the central casing, a butt stock cover which is removably attachable to the stock opening of the central casing and encloses the stock opening of the gun; and a barrel cover which is removably attachable to the barrel opening of the central casing which encloses the barrel opening of the gun.
 2. A gun case, as described in claim 1, wherein the central casing is composed of an impact resistant rigid material.
 3. A gun case, as described in claim 2, wherein the butt stock cover and barrel cover are composed of a flexible material.
 4. A gun case, as described in claim 3, wherein the soft cover may be removed and stored in a pocket in the central casing.
 5. A gun case, as described in claim 3, wherein the soft cover may be rolled up into a compact storage position for storage within the central casing.
 6. A gun case, as described in claim 2, wherein the butt stock cover and barrel cover are composed of a combination of flexible material and an attached support structure composed of a rigid material.
 7. A gun case, as described in claim 6, wherein the butt stock cover and barrel cover have openings configured to receive the stock and barrel of guns which protrude from the central casing such that the stock and barrel are enclosed by the stock and barrel covers when they are attached to the central casing, wherein the support structures of the stock and barrel covers composed of rigid material are positioned around the edges of the opening such that they hold the openings in a shape corresponding to the shape of the stock and barrel openings, wherein the support structures are removably attachable to the stock and barrel openings of the central casing via an attachment means.
 8. A gun case, as described in claim 2, wherein the barrel opening and stock openings are protected by a flap of flexible material extending from at least one side of the opening to cover the opening when a stock or barrel cover is not attached to the opening.
 9. A gun case as described in claim 2, wherein the central casing has an inner foam lining which cushions the stored gun against impacts.
 10. A gun case as described in claim 9, wherein the central casing has a plurality of straps located within the enclosed space of the central casing which may be used to secure an enclosed gun to an inner surface of the central casing.
 11. A gun case as described in claim 10, wherein the plurality of straps are removably attachable to the central casing and may be repositioned within the central casing to accommodate guns of different sizes.
 12. A gun case as described in claim 1, further comprising: a pair of endcaps which are removably attachable to seal the stock and barrel openings of the central casing.
 13. A gun case as described in claim 1, wherein the central casing further comprises: a carrying means such as a strap or handle.
 14. A gun case, as described in claim 1, wherein the central casing is composed of a combination of flexible material such as cloth and a support structure composed of a rigid material.
 15. A gun case as described in claim 14, further comprising: a pair of endcaps which are removably attachable to the stock and barrel openings of the central casing. 